W. Walter Spangler

She was born April 20, 1921 to Mervin Stanley and Grace (Hill) Spangler in Daysville, where he attended school and remained a resident his entire life.

He met his future wife, Julia Marie Isenhart, when her family moved next door to his.

The two were married in Kahoka, Mo., on Nov. 29, 1941.

Shortly after, Walt enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee and served in California and Okinawa, Japan, returning home to Daysville on Jan. 1, 1946.

He began working as a plumbing apprentice for Leo Piper, Byron, and earned his master plumber’s license.

He and his brother Clyde eventually started Spangler Brothers Plumbing and Heating working out of Walt’s Daysville garage.

The business eventually moved to the 300 block of Franklin Street in Oregon where they served the community for many years. Walt retired in 1988.

Walt and Julia spent their retirement years tending an orchard they had planted some years prior to his retirement.

Many children’s groups were treated to teaching field trips to the Spangler Orchard and Julia always saw that they got applesauce bars as a treat.

One of the ways Walt and Julia served the Lord was by donating the proceeds from the sale of the apples to local churches.

A long-time and active member of the Oregon Church of God, Walt served on the board of Lifeline Food Pantry for many years.

Walt loved serving his community.

He was one of the founders of local VFW Post 8739, and a member of the American Legion Post 97.

He was also a member of the Oregon Development Corporation that oversaw the development of the west end of Oregon as well as the recruitment of Dr. Prakob Scrichai, MD to serve the medical needs of the Oregon community.

He was a member of the Rotary Club, the Oregon Golf Club, and honored as Oregon Citizen of the Year in 1992.